Foldable rack assembly

ABSTRACT

A foldable rack assembly includes first and second components. The first component includes a back plate and a first shelf plate projecting forwardly from the back plate. The second component includes a second shelf plate connected pivotally to the first component. The second shelf plate is movable relative to the back plate between an unfolded position, where the second shelf plate projects forwardly from the back plate and is coplanar with the first shelf plate, and a folded position, where the second shelf plate is rotated downward and toward the back plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 094211894, filed on Jul. 13, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a rack assembly, more particularly to a foldable rack assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional rack comprises a support frame 11 and a holding plate 12. The support frame 11 includes a plurality of support rods 111, 112 and 113. The user first fastens the support rods 111 on a wall surface 13 in a spaced apart and vertical manner, after which the support rods 112 are connected respectively to top ends of the support rods 111 in such a manner that the support rods 112 are disposed forwardly relative to the support rods 111. Each of the support rods 113 is then connected inclinedly between a respective support rod 111 and the corresponding support rod 112. Finally, the holding plate 12 is fixedly mounted on the support rods 112. The holding plate 12 is used to support an article.

However, since the components of the conventional rack are not formed integrally, assembly of the conventional rack is complicated and involves many steps as described above. Moreover, the conventional rack provides a limited space for supporting an article, and is not foldable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a rack assembly that is foldable, that is easy to assemble, and that can further permit hanging of articles.

According to this invention, a foldable rack assembly comprises first and second components. The first component includes a back plate and a first shelf plate projecting forwardly from the back plate. The second component includes a second shelf plate connected pivotally to the first component. The second shelf plate is movable relative to the back plate between an unfolded position, where the second shelf plate projects forwardly from the back plate and is coplanar with the first shelf plate, and a folded position, where the second shelf plate is rotated downward and toward the back plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional rack fixed on a wall surface;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a first component of the preferred embodiment of a foldable rack assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second component of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an assembly of the first and second components;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the second component in an unfolded state relative to the first component;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the first and second components having top surfaces which are coplanar;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the second component in a folded state relative to the first component; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the preferred embodiment in the folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the preferred embodiment of a foldable rack assembly according to the present invention is adapted to be mounted on a vertical wall surface 2 (see FIG. 5), and includes a first component 3 and a second component 4.

The first component 3 includes a back plate 31, a first shelf plate 32, and a plurality of spaced-apart first hook members 33. The back plate 31 is formed with a plurality of fastening holes 311 for attachment of fasteners (not shown) so as to fix the back plate 31 to the vertical wall surface 2. The first shelf plate 32 projects forwardly from and forms an angle of about 90 degrees with the back plate 31, and has a top surface 321 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The first hook members 33 project forwardly from the back plate 31 below the first shelf plate 32. Two mating parts 34 are provided on the back plate 31. Each of the mating parts 34 has a U-shaped cross section, and includes two spaced-apart mating plates 341 projecting forwardly and integrally from the back plate 31 and connected to a bottom face of the first shelf plate 32. Each mating part 34 further has two opposite pivot members 342 projecting outwardly and laterally from the respective mating plates 341.

The second component 4 includes a second shelf plate 42 which includes a top wall 421, a rear wall 411 extending downwardly from the top wall 421, and a corner 422 formed by the top and rear walls 421, 411. The top wall 421 has an indented wall part 412 extending forwardly from the corner 422. The rear wall 411 is formed with a plurality of notches 414 for extension of the first hook members 33 therethrough.

Two spaced-apart mating grooves 413 are provided in the second shelf plate 42. Each mating part 34 of the first component 3 extends into one of the mating grooves 413. The second shelf plate 42 is connected pivotally to the mating parts 34 of the first component 3 so that the second shelf plate 42 is movable relative to the first component 3 between unfolded and folded positions. In the unfolded position, the second shelf plate 42 projects forwardly from the back plate 31 and is coplanar with the first shelf plate 32. In the folded position, the second shelf plate 42 is rotated downward and toward the back plate 31. The detailed configuration to allow for such interconnection and operation will be described below. In this embodiment, the number of the mating grooves 413 corresponds to the number of the mating parts 34.

The second shelf plate 42 further includes two pairs of spaced-apart ribs 43 projecting downwardly from the top wall 421 and forwardly from the rear wall 411, and a bridge member 46 interconnecting each pair of the ribs 43. Each pair of the ribs 43 and the corresponding bridge member 46 define one of the mating grooves 413. The top and rear walls 421, 411 and the corner 422 are notched adjacent to each mating groove 413 so that each mating groove 413 opens at the top and rear walls 421, 411 and the corner 422. Each of the ribs 43 has a bottom edge extending away from the top wall 421, and is formed with a slot 44 to engage pivotally the pivot member 342 of the corresponding mating part 34. The slot 44 has an open end 441 opening at the bottom edge of the corresponding rib 43.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the slot 44 has a first engaging section 444 proximate to the top wall 421, and a second engaging section 442 distal from the top wall 421. The second engaging section 442 is more distal from the rear wall 411 than the first engaging section 444. The slot 44 extends downwardly from the first engaging section 444 to form a connection section 443, extends forwardly to the second engaging section 442 from the connection section 443, and extends rearwardly and then downwardly from the connection section 443 to the open end 441.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, when the second shelf plate 42 is unfolded, the first hook members 33 pass through the respective notches 414, and the first shelf plate 32 extends into the indented wall part 412 so that the first shelf plate 32 is superimposed on the second shelf plate 42. The top surface 321 of the first shelf plate 32 is coplanar with a top surface of the top wall 421 at this time. Further, the pivot member 342 on each mating plate 341 engages the second engaging section 442 of the slot 44 in the corresponding rib 43, and the rear wall 411 is proximate to and confronts the back plate 31 at this time.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, when the second component 4 is pivoted to the folded position, the second engaging section 442 of the slot 44 in each rib 43 moves away from the pivot member 342 of the corresponding mating plate 341 (see FIG. 4), and the first engaging section 444 engages the pivot member 342 of the corresponding mating plate 341. Further, the rear wall 411 of the second component 4 is moved upward and away from the back plate 31, the indented wall part 412 is exposed, and the top wall 421 of the second shelf plate 42 is substantially parallel to the vertical wall surface 2.

Referring once again to FIG. 4, the second component 4 further includes a plurality of second hook members 45 projecting downwardly from the top wall 421. Each of the second hook members 45 is provided with a through hole 451. It should be noted that each of the first and second components 3, 4 is made of plastic, and is formed by an injection molding process.

From the aforementioned description, it is apparent that the foldable rack assembly of the present invention is easy to assemble since each of the first and second components 3, 4 is integrally formed, and since the first and second components 3, 4 are readily interconnected. In the unfolded position, the top surfaces 321, 421 of the first and second components 3, 4 can support an article thereon. In the folded position, the second component 4 can be folded downward from the first component 3, so that it does not occupy much space. Further, through the presence of the first and second hook members 33, 45, and the through holes 451, additional articles can be hung on the foldable rack assembly of the present invention.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A foldable rack assembly comprising: a first component including a back plate and a first shelf plate projecting forwardly from said back plate; and a second component including a second shelf plate connected pivotally to said first component, said second shelf plate being movable relative to said back plate between an unfolded position, where said second shelf plate projects forwardly from said back plate and is coplanar with said first shelf plate, and a folded position, where said second shelf plate is rotated downward and toward said back plate.
 2. The foldable rack assembly of claim 1, wherein said back plate is formed with a plurality of fastening holes.
 3. The foldable rack assembly of claim 1, wherein said second shelf plate includes a top wall, a rear wall extending downwardly from said top wall and confronting said back plate, and a corner formed by said top and rear walls.
 4. The foldable rack assembly of claim 3, wherein said first component further includes a mating part projecting forwardly from said back plate and downwardly from said first shelf plate.
 5. The foldable rack assembly of claim 4, wherein said second component further includes a mating groove extending downwardly from said corner to said rear wall and forwardly from said corner to said top wall, said mating part extending into said mating groove, said second shelf plate being connected pivotally to said mating part.
 6. The foldable rack assembly of claim 5, wherein said second shelf plate further includes at least two ribs projecting downwardly from said top wall and forwardly from said rear wall and defining said mating groove, each of said ribs being formed with a slot, said mating part having two opposite pivot members projecting laterally from said mating part into said slots of said ribs, respectively.
 7. The foldable rack assembly of claim 6, wherein said slot of each of said ribs has a first engaging section proximate to said top wall, and a second engaging section distal from said top wall, each of said pivot members engaging said second engaging section when said second shelf plate is unfolded, and engaging said first engaging section when said second shelf plate is folded.
 8. The foldable rack assembly of claim 7, wherein said second engaging section is more distal from said rear wall than said first engaging section.
 9. The foldable rack assembly of claim 8, wherein each of said ribs has a bottom edge extending away from said top wall, said slot having an open end opening at said bottom edge.
 10. The foldable rack assembly of claim 9, wherein said slot extends downwardly from said first engaging section to form a connection section, extends forwardly to said second engaging section from said connection section, and extends rearwardly and then downwardly from said connection section to said open end.
 11. The foldable rack assembly of claim 3, wherein said first component further includes a plurality of spaced-apart hook members projecting forwardly from said back plate below said first shelf plate.
 12. The foldable rack assembly of claim 11, wherein said rear wall is formed with a plurality of notches for extension of said hook members therethrough.
 13. The foldable rack assembly of claim 3, wherein said first shelf plate is superimposed on said second shelf plate when said second shelf plate is unfolded.
 14. The foldable rack assembly of claim 13, wherein said top wall has an indented wall part extending forwardly from said corner, said first shelf plate extending into said indented wall part when said second shelf plate is unfolded so that said first shelf plate has a top surface coplanar with a top surface of said top wall. 